Clip for convertible card row
When displayed, greeting cards are typically organized on a display fixture having multiple rows or levels upon which to sit the cards. Each row then has a front wall to hold in the card, yet is short enough to still view a portion of the greeting card above the wall. Because display fixtures are manufactured to have a specified amount of rows or levels at a specified depth, in order to adjust the specifications of a display fixture, other pieces may be used, for example, by attaching to the display fixture a convertible row to add another level or tier between set rows of the display fixture. By providing another row using a convertible row, another set of greeting cards may be displayed between cards displayed on other rows of the original display fixture, increasing the density of the overall display. Further, when an extra row is not desired, such a convertible row may be pushed flush against the back of the display fixture, while still attached, allowing the full depth of the row of the display fixture to be used. To support the convertible row when in use, a divider or support clip is provided. The divider clip may both separate greeting cards within a row of the display fixture and support a convertible row adjacent thereto. The divider clip includes a clipping mechanism to attach the divider clip to the display fixture and an adjustable portion capable of adjusting itself to support an adjacent convertible row.
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The present application is a divisional of pending U.S. application Ser. No. 12/347,111, entitled “CONVERTIBLE CARD ROW”, filed Dec. 31, 2008.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENTNot applicable.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONWhen displayed, greeting cards are typically organized on a display fixture that has multiple rows or levels upon which to sit the cards. Each row may have a front piece that holds in the card, yet is transparent or short enough to still view at least a portion of the greeting card. Because display fixtures are manufactured to have a specified amount of rows or levels at a specified depth, in order to adjust the specifications of a display fixture, other pieces must be used, for example, attaching a separate divider to the display fixture to add another level or tier between a set row of the display fixture. By providing another row using a dividing piece, another set of greeting cards may be displayed between cards already displayed on adjacent rows of the original display fixture, thereby increasing the density of the overall display. However, when an extra row is not desired, the dividing piece must be removed from the display fixture and stored elsewhere. This presents problems with storage and may result in a loss of the divider.
In one embodiment of the present invention, a card assembly apparatus for displaying multiple rows of greeting cards is provided. The apparatus comprises, in part, a display section with a back piece, one or more rows, and one or more front pieces, where a greeting card is placed on a row and portions thereof can be viewed through and/or above the front piece. The apparatus further comprises a collapsible row having a front divider and bottom divider attached at a joint. The joint permits movement of the collapsible row between a use or display position and a storage or non-use position. In the display position, the front divider is pulled out away from the display fixture, such that the bottom divider is perpendicular to the back piece. This allows for a greeting card to be supported for display on the bottom divider. In the storage or non-use position, the joint allows the front divider to be pushed against the back piece, such that the bottom divider is setting against the back piece. The apparatus also includes a divider clip that hooks on the front piece of the display section to separate cards and assist with maintaining the collapsible row in the display position.
In yet another embodiment, a collapsible row for use with a display section for displaying greeting cards is provided. The collapsible row comprises, in part, a front divider, a bottom divider, and a joint connecting the front and bottom dividers. The joint allows the collapsible row to be moved between a display position, where the front divider is pulled out away from a display section such that the bottom divider is perpendicular to the back of the display fixture to allow for a greeting card to be displayed on the bottom divider, and in a non-use position, where the front divider can be pushed against the back of the display section such that the bottom divider is setting against the display section.
In still another embodiment, a divider or support clip for separating greeting cards within a row of a display fixture and supporting a collapsible row is provided, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The divider clip includes, in part, a clipping mechanism to attach the divider clip to the display fixture and an adjustable portion capable of adjusting itself to support a collapsible row used in the display fixture.
The features of the invention noted above are explained in more detail with reference to the embodiments illustrated in the attached drawing figures, in which like reference numerals denote like elements, in which
Referring now to the drawings in more detail and initially to
To provide for the ability to change the display arrangement, the illustrated display section 12 also includes a plurality of convertible rows 28 that are capable of being moved between a use or display position and a storage or non-use position. As illustrated in
Each convertible row 28 includes a front divider 30 and a bottom divider 32. The front and bottom dividers 30, 32 are connected by a joint 34 that permits the two dividers 30, 32 to move relative to one another to create the two positions. In the display position, the front divider 30 is pulled out away from the rear wall 26 of the display section 12. Such a position allows the bottom divider 32 of the convertible row 28 to be generally perpendicular to the rear wall 26 of the display section 12, thereby providing another level or row to the overall display section 12. Thus, in the configuration illustrated in
The display section 12 preferably also includes a plurality of divider or support clips 36. In the prior art, divider clips are clipped on the front piece (e.g., front wall 22) of a card row to horizontally separate different types of greeting cards 16. In the present invention, the divider clips 36 may also be used to support the convertible row 28 and maintain it in either the display or storage positions. Multiple embodiments of divider clips 36 of the present invention are illustrated and will be further described below.
When a convertible row 28 is no longer desired for use in displaying a row of greeting cards 16, it may be collapsed and the pushed back against the rear wall 26, as illustrated by the convertible rows 28 on the right side of the display section 12 of
Turning now to
The upper divider clip 36, which is adjacent to the upper convertible row 28 in the display position, is in its open or support position. A movable portion 44 of the divider clip 36 extends downward and provides support for the bottom divider 32 of the convertible row 28. This serves to stabilize and support the convertible row 28 when displaying greeting cards 16.
The lower convertible row 28 of
When the convertible row 28 is in the storage position, the divider clip 36 adjacent to it is adjusted so that it presses against the convertible row 28, holding it in place against the rear wall 26 of the display section 12. Note that a divider clip 36 may be used adjacent a convertible row 28 whether it is in the display or storage position, and is adjusted accordingly As will be discussed in greater detail below, an adjustable divider clip, such as divider clip 36, allows for more flexibility when determining which position a convertible row 28 is to be used. One skilled in the art will appreciate that various embodiments of divider clips may be used, and will be discussed in more detail below.
Referring now to
The body portion 46 is connected with the movable portion 44 via an arm 54. The arm 54 is preferably flexible such that it may be bent between the illustrated support and hooked positions. In that regard, the divider clip 36 may be made of a plastic and formed by a molding process. In such an arrangement, the arm may be naturally biased to a position intermediate the illustrated support and hooked positions. In this way, the arm 54 provides lift and secure engagement to the convertible row 28 when it is in the support position.
To assist with secure engagement with the convertible row 28, the movable portion 44 is provided with a nock 56 in its outer periphery 58. The nock 56 is intended to receive a lower edge 60 of the front divider 30 of the convertible row 28, as illustrated in
To further prevent unintended movement of the convertible row 28 from the display position to the storage position, friction arrangement is provided. In that regard, the proximal edge 38 of the bottom divider 32 is provided with a generally cylindrical tube portion 62. The tube portion 62 has a longitudinal slot 64 therein adjacent a stop flange 66. When the tube portion 62 is received in the channel 40 of the rear wall 26 of the display section 12, a longitudinal ridge 68 is received in the slot 64 when the bottom divider 32 is in a generally horizontal position, as illustrated in
In
The divider clip 36 may also be provided with a recess portion 75 in the body portion 46 adjacent to and of a corresponding shape as the notch 48. As illustrated in
Referring now to
In this embodiment, the divider clip 36 is illustrated in a position for use when the convertible row 28 is in the storage position. The adjustable portion 80 extends away from the body portion 76 of the divider clip 36 to press against the front divider 30, which itself rests against the rear wall 26 of the display section 12, as described above. When a convertible row 28 is used in the display position, the bend 82 will flex, and the adjustable portion 80 will be moved back into a correspondingly shaped cutout 88. The lower edge 60 of a front divider 30 will then rest or otherwise be secured in the notch 86 of the hook 84.
Turning now to
When the convertible row 28 is in a storage position, the divider clip 700 may be reconfigured to the arrangement illustrated in
Many variations can be made to the illustrated embodiments of the present invention without departing from the scope of the present invention. Such modifications are within the scope of the present invention. For example, the convertible rows 28 can span the entire width of the display section 12. Similarly, while the joint 34 is illustrated as constructed in the illustrated manner, other versions of the joint that permit movement between the front divider 30 and the bottom divider 32 (such as a hinge type mechanism) are possible and within the scope of the present invention. Additionally, the display sections 12 can be molded with features or apertures in the rear of the section to facilitate coupling of the display section 12 to a display fixture. It should be noted that the increase of the row depth when a convertible row 28 is collapsed allows for the display of product having an increased product depth. Further, while the present invention has been described in connection with the display of greeting cards, the present invention is not limited to such a narrow use. Non-card products can be displayed as well. Other modifications would be within the scope of the present invention.
From the foregoing it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted to attain all ends and objects hereinabove set forth together with the other advantages which are clear following the complete disclosure above and which are inherent to the methods and apparatuses described herein. It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the invention.
Since many possible embodiments may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative of applications of the principles of this invention, and not in a limiting sense.
Claims
1. A divider clip for separating greeting cards within a row of a display section by receipt on a front wall thereof and for periodically supporting a convertible row, the divider clip comprising:
- a fixed portion and a rotatable portion, wherein the fixed portion includes a clipping mechanism to couple the divider clip with the front wall of the display section, wherein the fixed portion is fixed in a generally vertical orientation when the clipping mechanism is coupled with the front wall of the display section, wherein the rotatable portion is movably coupled with the fixed portion at a joint, wherein the rotatable portion is movable from a generally vertical orientation in a first position to a generally horizontal orientation in a second position with respect to the fixed portion, and wherein the rotatable portion is generally parallel to the fixed portion in the first position and is generally perpendicular to the fixed portion in the second position.
2. The divider clip of claim 1, wherein the joint includes a pivot point around which the rotatable portion pivots between the first and second positions.
3. The divider clip of claim 1, wherein the pivot point is a bolt used to couple the rotatable portion to the fixed portion.
4. The divider clip of claim 1, wherein the fixed portion is a planar member having a length dimension oriented in a vertical orientation, wherein the rotatable portion is a planar member having a length dimension, and wherein the rotatable portion is coupled adjacent and parallel to the fixed portion.
5. The divider clip of claim 4, wherein the clipping mechanism is an upside down U-shaped member having a width dimension and wherein the clipping mechanism has a downwardly facing opening to receive an upper edge of a generally vertical front wall of a display section.
6. The divider clip of claim 5, wherein the width dimension of the upside down U-shaped member is oriented in a horizontal orientation, wherein the clipping member is coupled with a peripheral edge of the fixed member, and wherein the planar fixed member is perpendicular to the width dimension of the upside down U-shaped member.
7. The divider clip of claim 5, wherein the upside down U-shaped member includes an inner wall, wherein the inner wall includes a raised rib thereon to assist with retaining the divider clip on the display section when clipped thereon, and wherein the raised rib is perpendicular to the planar fixed member.
8. The divider clip of claim 4, wherein the rotatable portion includes a peripheral edge, wherein the peripheral edge includes a ledge extending outwardly from a lower portion of the edge when the rotatable portion is oriented in a vertical orientation, whereby the ledge presents a support upon which a convertible row may rest when the rotatable portion is in the first position.
9. A divider clip for separating greeting cards within a row of a display section and for supporting an adjacent convertible row when in a use position, the divider clip comprising:
- a generally vertical fixed portion having a clipping mechanism with a transverse, downwardly facing opening for receipt of an upper edge of a front wall of a row of the display section; and
- a rotatable portion having a ledge extending outwardly therefrom, wherein the rotatable portion is movably coupled with the fixed portion at a joint, wherein the rotatable portion is movable from a first position, where the rotatable portion is generally vertical and the ledge extends generally horizontally therefrom for supporting an adjacent convertible row when in a use position, to a second position, where the rotatable portion is generally horizontal and the ledge extends generally downwardly.
10. The divider clip of claim 9, wherein the clip has an overall width dimension of a first size when the rotatable portion is in the first position and wherein the clip has an overall width dimension of a second size when the rotatable portion is in the second position, wherein the overall width dimension of the first size is less than the overall width dimension of the second size, whereby the clip is wider when the rotatable portion is in the second position for holding an adjacent convertible row in a closed position when the clip is positioned on a front wall and the rotatable portion is in the second position.
11. A divider clip for separating greeting cards within a row of a display section and for supporting an adjacent convertible row when in a use position, the row having a front wall in a generally vertical orientation and having an upper edge upon which the divider clip may be selectively received, the divider clip comprising:
- a generally planar fixed portion having a clipping mechanism coupled therewith having an opening therein for selectively receiving the upper edge of the front wall of the row of the display section to couple the divider clip thereto, the fixed portion having a longitudinal dimension oriented in a generally vertical orientation, wherein the opening has a width dimension, and wherein the width dimension of the opening is perpendicular to the planar fixed portion, whereby the fixed portion is perpendicular to the front wall of the row when it is coupled therewith by receipt of the upper edge of the front wall in the opening of the clipping mechanism; and
- a generally planar rotatable portion rotatably coupled with the fixed portion at a joint, wherein the planar fixed portion and the planar rotatable portion are parallel to each other, wherein the rotatable portion is movable from a first generally vertical position, where longitudinal axes of the fixed and rotatable portions are parallel to each other, to a second generally horizontal position, where the longitudinal axes of the fixed and rotatable portions are perpendicular to each other.
12. The divider clip of claim 11, wherein the rotatable portion has a peripheral edge with a ledge extending outwardly from a lower portion thereof, wherein the ledge extends generally horizontally outwardly to support an adjacent convertible row when the rotatable portion is in the first position, and wherein the ledge extends generally downwardly when the rotatable portion is in the second position.
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Type: Grant
Filed: Jul 22, 2011
Date of Patent: Dec 18, 2012
Patent Publication Number: 20110272374
Assignee: Hallmark Cards, Incorporated (Kansas City, MO)
Inventors: Todd E. Berry (Kansas City, MO), Shaun P. Arness (Shawnee, KS)
Primary Examiner: Jennifer E. Novosad
Attorney: Shook, Hardy & Bacon L.L.P.
Application Number: 13/188,701